The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, today announced that Canada is now a full supporter, without qualification, of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Today’s announcement also reaffirms Canada’s commitment to adopt and implement the Declaration in accordance with the Canadian Constitution.

This announcement confirms Canada’s commitment to a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples – a relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. Canada will engage with Indigenous groups on how to implement the principles of the Declaration. This engagement will include provinces and territories whose cooperation and support is essential to this work and to advancing the vital work of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Quotes“Today’s announcement that Canada is now a full supporter of the Declaration, without qualification, is an important step in the vital work of reconciliation. Adopting and implementing the Declaration means that we will be breathing life into Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution, which provides a full box of rights for Indigenous peoples.” The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P. Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Praise for Canada’s unqualified support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

May 10, 2016

(Ottawa, ON): Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde and AFN Regional Chief for Quebec-Labrador Ghislain Picard today welcomed the Government of Canada’s unqualified support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the 15th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) underway in New York, NY.

“Today, Canada is sending an important message to Indigenous peoples, to all Canadians and to the international community that Indigenous rights are human rights,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “Canada’s commitment to work with First Nations to fully adopt and implement the Declaration is a crucial step in reconciliation, rebuilding the relationship and honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. The UN Declaration is a framework and an essential tool to guide the work of reconciliation that will move us all forward.”

The UN Declaration sets out minimum standards for ensuring Indigenous peoples enjoy fundamental human rights, including the collective right to self-determination and rights in their traditional territories. The Government of Canada formally adopted the Declaration in 2010, but this was accompanied by statements outlining several qualifications. Similar statements were made by Canada in 2007 at the UN General Assembly (where Canada actually voted against the Declaration) and again in 2014 when Canada issued an Explanation of Vote at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

“First Nations will continue to press at every level for the full implementation of the Declaration which is good for Indigenous peoples and all Canadians,” said AFN Regional Chief Ghislain Picard. “The Declaration sets a strong foundation for the way in which we should work together – respectfully, nation-to-nation and in the spirit of reconciliation.”

The AFN has been pushing for full and unqualified support for the UN Declaration. On April 15 of this year National Chief Bellegarde wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to utilize the UNPFII as an opportunity to express unqualified support for the Declaration to “…signal to the international community that Canada is a human rights leader rather than an obstacle respecting this key UN human rights instrument.” Today, federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Bennett stated on the floor of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that Canada is officially a full supporter of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without qualification.

National Chief Bellegarde will be at the 15th session of the UNPFII Thursday May 12 to attend a side event on implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.

The theme of the 15th Session of the UNPFII is “Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and resolution”. For live video streaming of all open meetings visit http://webtv.un.org/

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates and visit the AFN website at http://www.afn.ca.

First Nations Summit Commends Federal Liberal Government for decision to become a “full supporter” the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – Leaders of the First Nations Summit are commending the federal Liberal government for announcing that Canada will officially remove its permanent objector status and become a “full unqualified supporter” of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration). The announcement to adopt and implement the Declarationwas made by Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada at the 15th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) at United Nations headquarters in New York. The Hon. Jody Wilson‐Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was also in attendance yesterday and offered encouraging remarks on the importance of the Declaration.

“Today’s announcement, which overturns Canada’s offensive and ill willed opposition to the Declaration, has been a long time coming as it has been nearly nine years since the 2007 adoption by the United Nations General Assembly. It is a departure from the previous government’s actions and an important step in the path of reconciliation in this country”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive and a North American Representative to theUNPFII, who is also attending the 15th Session of the UNPFII.

“Indigenous peoples in Canada have been extremely frustrated by Canada’s lack of substantive recognition of this valuable human rights instrument. Now that Canada officially supports the Declaration, necessary steps must be taken, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, to ensure its full implementation. Now the hard work of harmonizing Canada’s laws, regulations, policies and decisions impacting indigenous peoples in this country to ensure they are in line with the requirements outlined in the 46 Articles of the Declaration begins”, concluded Grand Chief John.

The Declaration affirms the “minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well‐being of the indigenous peoples of the world” as well as rights of self‐determination and requires that governments obtain free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples in decisions about lands and resource development on their lands. It was overwhelmingly supported by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 2007, with 144 States voting in favour of adoption.

Unfortunately, it took more than three years for the Declaration to be “officially endorsed” by Canada (November 2010). Since then, Canada had maintained a dismissive position on the Declaration by indicating that such international instruments bear little impact on the day to day decisions of government. Canada’s revised status as a full supporter of the Declaration is scheduled to take effect on May 10, 2016.

The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in BritishColumbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and SocialCouncil of the United Nations. Further background information on the Summit may be found athttp://www.fns.bc.ca. For further information: Colin Braker, Communications Director, FNS: 604‐328‐4094